He's originally from New Zealand and been in New York for a decade, and for the past six years -- right in his apartment -- the former software engineer has used YouTube to make a career out of his childhood hobby.

"I made the first machine since I was 5 years old," he said. "The first one was 'the candy machine' for storing my candy."

He's made about 30 machines, which each took about three months to build. His objects are household items, because after all, he lives above a 99-cents store.

"Often, I do the 99-cent store walk of shame," he said. "I walk to every 99-cent store along Knickerbocker (Avenue), of which there are eight."